Hanoi (VNA) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB)launched a photo contest on Instagram to showcase the development progress inthe Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and demonstrate how a focus on increasedregional cooperation and integration can improve people’s lives.

The online photo contest, which is held usingthe hashtag #GMS25, is part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of theestablishment of the GMS Programme. 

GMS countries are Cambodia, China (specificallyYunnan province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand,and Vietnam.

“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary ofthe establishment of the GMS, we would like to take stock of the achievementsof the regional cooperation and give a clear image of how it changed the livesof the people living along the Mekong for the better,” said Nguyen Minh Cuong,an ADB Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist and Unit Head of the GMSProgramme. 

“We’re hopeful that the photo contest willshowcase this and provide encouragement for the future work of the GMS,” headded.

The contest is open to nonprofessionalphotographers, of any age from ADB’s member countries. Images must beoriginal and taken personally by the photographer, not previously published,and showcase daily life in the Mekong subregion and how lives have changed inthe last 25 years. Contestants can submit as many photos as they like.

To enter the contest, contestants post thephotograph on their Instagram accounts using the hashtag #GMS25 and tag@ADB_HQ. Photos can be posted between January 8 and February 9. Winners will beannounced on February 20.

First prize winner will receive 500 USD, secondprize winner will get 200 USD, and third prize winner will take home 100 USD.Winners will be judged on the merit of their content or on the number ofInstagram likes. 

Established in 1992 with support from ADB, theGMS Programme helps the implementation of high priority subregional projects intransport, energy, telecommunications, environment, human resource development,tourism, trade, private sector investment, and agriculture.

As of 2016, ADB has approved 7.3 billion USD inloans for 84 GMS investment projects, with GMS member countries and developmentpartners providing 4.9 billion USD and 6.9 billion USD, respectively, accordingto the bank.-VNA